Article - Guru

Guru

The life of every child in India begins with the constant reiteration of the chant, “Maatha Pitha Guru Daivam”, where the mother ranks first, father the second, guru or teacher the third and God commands only the lowest rung of this hierarchy. Such is the position presented to the teacher in Indian culture. In ancient India the lion’s share of the childhood was spent at the abode of the guru, learning from him day and night; the Gurukula system ensured the best and maximum opportunities for the child to learn from. Education was then considered in a perspective of divinity and as an essential factor of shaping a child very unlike the profit-centered mindset that we breed in, and towards, such institutions in the present day. This degradation of merit and quality of education has drastically affected the quality and merits the guru himself. Only a countable few are left unaffected by the altering styles of the society. But how can an able guru be segregated from the rest? Indian systems have aptly listed particulars to evaluate or rather to enlighten us on the prospect. The Shadgunas are carefully listed aspects of the mind that in unison defines a guru. These are:-

Smriti     (Memory) – literally “that which is remembered”.  In ancient India, knowledge was compiled in the form of Vedas and Upanashids which numbered over two-hundred. It was essential for the Guru to precisely recollect all the texts as such for there was only oral transmission of these valuable information and no records or copies to aid the memory. Hence Smriti was considered one of the essential qualities for a guru. In the physiology, Smriti is represented by all the memory systems and reflex arcs, which allow action and perception to occur without the need for lengthy processing and analysis. This happens on the basis of complete knowledge, or memory, of what should be the appropriate response to any situation, as well as the appropriate response to more complex adjustments of social and traditional behavior in the presence of changing circumstances or environmental needs.

Medha   (Intellect) – Medha refers to any ability connected with intellectual activity.  Medha prevents an individual from indulging into Prajnaparadha (Failure of wisdom or intelligence).  The word ‘Medha’  has been used mainly in 2 ways viz.  Grahana Shakti  (grasping power) and Dharana Shakti  (retention power). The word Medha is used to denote high intellect. Medha can be understood as the faculty of Buddhi which has the power to retain the experiences or knowledge and when needed it recalls that retained knowledge and it prevents an individual from indulging into Prajnaparadha.

Apoha   (Determination)-  this is essential for a guru because only a determined guru can make a difference. The difference will begin from oneself and gradually will effect into changing others with their powerful influence. When a person is to train the upcoming generation without determination every attempt would be nothing but failure. A guru has to be determined to effect change into even the most brute and even the most subtle to make them capable for the world.

Shishyanishpadana  (Ability to Bring Out a Good Disciple) – The prime goal of a guru is to mold into perfection any distorted individual he gets. This greatly uses up every bit of knowledge and every last bit of energy and and talent a guru has. This is the ultimate goal of a guru.

Mati   (Knowledge)  - Mati is sensuous knowledge which is ordinary cognition is due to the normal functioning of sense perception. According to ancient texts Mati is synonymous with intelligence and it includes remembrance, recognition and inductive as well as deductive reasoning. Mati is sometimes distinguished into three kinds: (upalabdhi) perception, (bhaavana) memory and (upyoga) understanding.

Uha    (Reasonableness)- is that quality or ability that assists the cognitive criterion.  It is closely associated with such characteristically human activities as philosophy, science, language, mathematics, and art, and is normally considered to be a definitive characteristic of human nature. The concept of reason is sometimes referred to as rationality and sometimes as discursive reason, in opposition to intuitive reason.

But these qualities of the intellect go unvalued if the character itself is defective. As a person who handles and molds the growing individuals, the mentor needs to be in person and temperament primarily lenient to desirable and acceptable moral fiber. This beseech to certain additional qualifications from the teacher known as the “ Guru Lakshanam” which are:-

• Belief in God
• Systematic knowledge
• Satvika life
• Possession of good habits like avoidance of smoking, drinking and cheap behaviour
• Proper attitude to the female disciples as if they are daughters
• Knowledge of scriptures and mythology to be able to explain the themes properly to the disciple
• Willingness to accept intelligent disciples even of poor background
• Considerate, kind and caring, patient towards the disciples` attitude
• Stern and strict to them to discern the good from the bad.

In the opinion of Dr. Jebamalai Vinanchiarachi, Former Principal Adviser to the Director General, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, (UNIDO), Guru or teacher is of three types:-

Aggressive achievers – Mainly young teachers who are prisoners to the beginner’s inferiority complex. They do not let us ask any questions and reminds us of a ruthless dictator.

Logical thinkers – Voracious readers and ardent thinkers who literally live on thoughts and breathe on books. They are exceptionally intelligent but “are inefficient teachers and hence their knowledge remain accumulated and stagnant”. They have more skill in acquiring knowledge than imparting it.

Gentle helpers- They have very poor teaching as well as knowledge and hence rectify the gap by trying to be very popular and helpful. But after a short while the first impressions wane away and “the popularity is temporary”.

“A good teacher is a perfect blend of all three”, notes Dr Jebamalai, “a thirty per cent each of the first two and a forty per cent of the last is essential to form a good teacher.” “It takes more than five years of experience to inculcate this unique blend”, he adds.

Habits come from home and from school. A guru’s example is something that will be and should be followed by the disciples and something that will stick to them as long as they live. Any undesirable conduct by the guru will also be absorbed by the pupil regardless of its merit and standard. There are social evils that can easily trap a person under addiction and a guru is no less a vulnerable human to these. But, as the guru burdens the duty of imparting education, intense care is to be assumed to avoid such subdual of character and morale. Hence restrictions are to be laid on aspects like:-

• Indulging in drinking, and immoral activities
• Qualities of vengeance
• Laziness
• Capability of stealing, fooling or criticising others or arguing on points on which he does not have knowledge
• Acting shy as far as training his disciple is concerned, over - concerned, over- confident about the disciple`s performance
• Short tempered in the process of teaching
• Boastful of his achievements and jealous of other`s achievements
• Teaching undeserving people who can lure him with money.

Let the good qualities of a guru prevail and dominate in every teacher today and tomorrow. Let the world learn from the good and let the good teach and preach. And let the good teacher be valued and adored accordingly.

Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu,

Guru Devo Maheshwara.

Guru Sakshath Parambrahma,

Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha.